Canon is in talks with third-party lens manufacturers about commercializing and opening the RF mount: “There are no restrictions”

The Japanese publication Mynavi posted online an interview where Tsuyoshi Tokura (Senior Managing Executive Officer in charge of the Canon Imaging Group) confirmed that Canon is in talks with third-party lens manufacturers about commercializing and opening the RF mount – here is the recap by digicame-info:

• On February 22nd, the first day of CP+2024, Tsuyoshi Tokura, senior managing executive officer and deputy manager of Canon's Imaging Group, who is in charge of Canon's camera business, responded to a press interview.
• Speculation is flying around on social media that ``Canon seems to have a policy of not opening up the RF mount to other companies,'' but a person in charge of Canon's camera business said, ``Canon is communicating with third-party manufacturers.'' .The depth of communication is probably more than half of the way (to commercialization).'' It is not a dream that AF-compatible RF mount lenses will be released by talented third parties such as Sigma and Tamron.
• Speculation and rumors are flying around among photography fans, such as ``Is the company's policy not to open up RF mounts to other companies?'' and "Are there restrictions such as AF lenses are not allowed but MF lenses are allowed?'' When I asked these questions to Mr. Tokura, he immediately replied, ``Canon is communicating with third-party manufacturers regarding RF mount lenses'' and "There are no restrictions.'' He quickly denied the speculations among photography fans. He also said, "Communication with third-party manufacturers is deeper than it was in the early days,'' and revealed that they are proceeding with more active interactions than before.
• When asked when RF mount products will be released from third parties, he declined to give a clear answer. Still, he answered: "The depth of communication is probably more than halfway (toward commercialization).'' He indicated that negotiations are progressing smoothly.

Previous coverage of third-party lenses for Canon RF mount:

Viltrox: “We have been told by Canon to stop selling all RF mount products”

Canon Germany on third-party Viltrox lenses: “Canon believes that these products infringe their patent and design rights and has therefore requested the company to stop all activities that infringe Canon’s intellectual property rights”